Mechanism for controlling the rotation of a warp beam of a warp knitting machine



Dec. 7, 1 R. s. BASSIST 3,221,519

MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE ROTATION OF A WARP BEAM OF A WARP KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Jan. 13, 1964 INVEN TOR:

E0004? 6. Bass/s7 R. G. BASSIST 3,221,519 MECHANISM FOR CONTROLLING THE ROTATION OF A WAR Dec. 7, 1 965 BEAM OF A WARP KNITTING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1964 I N VENTOR.

United States Patent 3,221,51h MEQHANHSM FGR CONTRULLIING THE RQTATEUN OF A WARP TEAM ()1 A WARP KNITTING MACHINE Rudolph G. Bassist, 3660 Waldo Ave, Riverdaie, N.Y. Filed Jan. 13:, 1964, Ser. No. 337,339 6 tllaims. (Cl. 6686) This invention relates generally to warp knitting machines, and has particular reference to an improved mechanism for rotating a warp beam of such a machine at controlled varying speeds.

It is a general object of the invention to provide certain improvements in the general type of knitting machines referred to in my earlier patents, No. 2,303,903, No. 2,334,058, No. 2,361,526, and No. 2,529,241.

As is known, the yarn employed in a warp knitting machine is initially wound on one or more horizontally arranged elongated shafts or Warp beams and is advanced in parallel rows to a bank of needles moving rapidly in a generally up-and-down direction. Drive means is provided for moving the needles through a predetermined knitting cycle, during which the yarn is directed to the needles and interengaged with them in accordance with a predetermined pattern. This is accomplished by one or more guide bars which receive the yarn from the yarn feeding means and bring the individual strands into predetermined positions for engagement by the needles. The threads are positioned while the needles are in their upward positions, and when the needles move downward they perform a knitting operation (with the aid of a presser bar and other auxiliary parts) which thus incorporates the threads into the fabric, course by course. The movement of each guide bar involves a swinging movement in a back-and-forth direction through the bank or bed of needles, and intermittent longitudinal movements which are timed in relation to the needle operation and in response to pattern-controlling apparatus.

For the sake of simplicity, the features of the present invention will be described in connection with a single warp beam. In the type of machine to which this invention is directed, a means is provided for continuously rotating the warp beam in yarn-feeding direction in predetermined timed relation to the knitting cycle, independent of any pulling action upon or by the yarn itself. The movements of the warp beam are regulatable during uninterrupted operation of the machine to synchronize the thread feed with the fluctuating requirements of the needles; and the present invention provides an improved mechanism for imposing predetermined regulatory move ments upon the continuously rotating warp beam.

The improved apparatus is characterized by the employment of a primary driving shaft which affords a constant-speed driving force; a primary driven shaft operatively connected to the warp beam for rotating the latter; a releasable clutch interposed between these driving and driven shafts; at least one set of bypass driving and driven shafts with a releasable clutch between them; and a means for operating said clutches in a predetermined timed sequence. In this way the driving force of the primary driving shaft can be directed in accordance with a predetermined pattern through a selected one or another of the clutches; and by providing selected different speed ratios in the different transmission paths the warp beam can be driven at selected varying speeds which can be made to correspond, quite accurately, to the fluctuating demands of the needles.

The ability of the improved mechanism to regulate the rotative movement of the warp beam in the manner described may make the invention useful for yarn feed regulation generally, and the invention is therefore not 3,221,519 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 necessarily restricted to the regulation of a warp beam in step with the varying demands of the needles.

One of the features of the invention lies in the ability to include a means which is responsive to diminution of warp beam diameter as yarn is delivered from the warp beam. This additional means can be interposed in the driving connection between the primary driven shaft and the warp beam for imparting additional variations to the warp beam speed to compensate for its diminishing diameter.

One Way of achieving the objects and advantages of the invention, and embodying the features of the invention in a practical machine, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the elements entering into the present improved construction, including an endwise representation of the warp beam to be controlled;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view substantially in the direction 22 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view in the direction 33 of FIG. 2.

The warp beam 10 is mounted for rotation upon a horizontal shaft 11. As the warp beam rotates yarn (not shown) is fed tangentially to yarn-guiding apparatus leading the yarn ultimately to the needles of the knitting machine. The needles have not been shown since their mode of operation is well known, but it is to be borne in mind that as the needles function through a predetermined sequence of knitting cycles they require fluctuating amounts of yarn, depending upon the pattern to which their operation is conforming. The present mechanism is able to rotate the warp beam 10 in corresponding manner, i.e., at controlled varying speeds.

For rotating the warp beam 10 I have shown the shaft 11 provided with a sprocket 12. A chain 13 connects this sprocket to another sprocket 14 mounted on a shaft 15. Carried by the latter shaft is a worm Wheel 16. It meshes with and is driven by a worm 17 on a shaft 18. The latter shaft carries a cone-shaped element 19 arranged adjacent to an oppositely-facing similar cone-shaped element 20 mounted on a shaft 21. A belt 22 has one of its laps interposed between the adjacent surfaces of ele ments 19 and 20, whereby rotation of the shaft 21 imparts corresponding rotation to the shaft 18, the driving force being thereupon transmitted through parts 17 and 16, and chain 13, to the Warp beam shaft 11.

By shifting the belt 22 in a direction parallel to the shafts 18 and 21, the speed ratio between shafts 21 and 13 can be regulated. The shifting of the belt 22 will be described hereinafter.

The shaft 21 may be considered a primary driven shaft, being in alignment with a primary driving shaft 23. The shaft 23 provides a constant-speed driving force. It is directly connected through a chain 24 to the main shaft or cam shaft of the knitting machine (not. shown).

Interposed between the shafts 23 and 21 is a releasable clutch consisting of a fixed part 25 and a movable part 26. In the mechanism as illustrated, the fixed part or disk 25 is mounted on the shaft 23, whereas the movable part 26 is in splined association With the shaft 21. When the parts 25 and 26 are brought together, the motion of the primary driving shaft 23 is transmitted to the primary driven shaft 21; and when the parts 25 and 26 are separated (as shown in FIG. 1) the driving connection between the shafts is interrupted.

The movements of the clutch parts are brought about by mounting the movable part26 within a yoke 27 formed on a rod 28 pivoted on a fixed axis 29. At its opposite end, the rod 28 is constantly urged by .a spring 30 or the like into one disposition, while an actuator 31 is adapted to press the rod 28 to an opposite disposition. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the spring 30 constantly pulls the support 28 toward the left, while the actuator 31, acting upon a follower 32 on the support 28, functions (when operative) to move the support 28 toward the right, thus separating the clutch parts and 26.

In accordance with the invention, there is at least one by-pass set of driving and driven shafts. In the mechanism illustrated, two such sets have been shown (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The driving shaft 33 and the aligned driven shaft 34. constitute one of these sets; and the driving shaft 35 and the aligned driven shaft 36 constitutes another such set. These shafts are parallel to the primary driving and driven shafts 23, 21.

Between the shafts 33, 34 is a releasable clutch designated generally by the reference numeral 37, and between the shafts 35, 36 is a similar releasable clutch designated generally by the reference numeral 38. The clutches 37 and 38 are similar to the clutch previously described, consisting of the parts 25 and 26, and are similarly controlled, i.e., each is urged constantly in one direction by a yieldable means such as the spring 30, and each is subject to the actuation of a mechanism, such as that shown at 31, adapted to press the corresponding clutch support in a direction opposing the urging of the yieldable means.

In accordance with the invention, there is a transmission between the primary driving shaft 23 and each of the by-pass driving shafts 33 and 35; and there is another transmission between each of the by-pass shafts and the primary driven shaft 21. At least one of these transmissions is alterable to permit a selective change in the speed ratio achieved. For example, if replaceable positive-drive elements are employed, each of the shafts 33 and 35 can be driven at any selected speed ratio with respect to the primary driving shaft 23, and similarly, the primary driven shaft 21 can be coupled at any selected speed ratio with each of the by-pass driven shafts 34, and 36.

By way of example, I have shown the primary driving shaft 23 connected to the by-pass driving shaft 33 by a chain 39 meshing with a sprocket 40 on the shaft 33. These are positive-drive elements, and in accordance with this invention they are changeable and replaceable by others, although the details of such replaceability have not been illustrated. Sufiice it to point out that, as shown, the shaft 33 is driven at a slower speed than the primary driving shaft 23, since the sprocket 40 is larger in diameter than the corresponding sprocket on the shaft 23. Similarly, a connection is established between the shaft 23 and the by-pass shaft 35 by means of a sprocket 41, a chain 42, and a sprocket 43 on shaft 35. These elements are similarly replaceable. As illustrated, the shaft 35 is so coupled to the shaft 23 that it rotates considerably faster than the shaft 23.

Similar transmissions are arranged on the driven side, as best indicated in FIG. 3. Thus, sprockets 44 and 45, connected by chain 46, establish a transmission between the by-pass driven shaft 36 and the primary driven shaft 21; and in similar fashion sprockets 47 and 48, connected by a chain 49, establish a transmission between the by-pass driven shaft 34 and the primary driven shaft 21.

As hereinbefore stated, each clutch includes a movable element mounted on a movable support such as that shown. at 28. Thus, the movable part of clutch 37 is mounted upon a support 50, and the movable part of clutch 38 is mounted upon a support 51. Each of these elements carries a follower similar to that shown at 32 on the support 28. The follower carried by support 51 is indicated at 52 in FIG. 2. Cooperating with each follower is an actuator such as that shown at 31 in FIG. 1. As illustrated, each actuator consists of a predetermined series of links mounted upon a movable element such as the chain 53 indicated in FIG. 1. These chains are trained about sprockets 54, and the sprockets are mounted on a common shaft 55 with which they all rotate in unison.

The use of links on a chain of the character referred to at 53 is well known, and for this reason the links have not been illustrated in detail. They can be arranged in any desired sequence, and for the present purpose they are of a size which brings them in pressing contact with the corresponding follower as indicated in FIG. 1. With respect to each chain 53, whenever the links thereon come into engagement with the corresponding follower, the clutch controlled by them 'is disconnected. This relationship of parts is shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, whenever the links are omitted, there is nothing to press against the follower, as a result of which the corresponding spring 30 is effective to pull the corresponding clutch into a closed power-transmitting condition.

Only one clutch is operative at any instant of time. Thus, in FIG. 3 I have shown the clutch between shafts 33 and 34 in closed operative condition, While the other clutches are open. At other times, one or another of the other clutches would be closed, depending upon the arrangement of links or equivalent actuators on the corresponding chains 53.

It will thus be obvious that by judicious selection of replaceable positive-drive elements, the driving force of the primary driving shaft 23 can be transmitted, at selected different speed ratios, to the primary driven shaft 21. The speed ratio can be changed almost instantaneously by disconnecting one clutch and bringing another into operation. Thus, in accordance with any desired sequence, the by-pass driving shafts can be made effective or ineflfective. Since there may be any desired plurality of sets of by-pass driving and driven shafts, a large variety of different speeds can be imparted to the primary driven shaft 21 (thence to the warp beam), the timing and sequence being accurately controllable by the actuators operating individually upon the respective clutches.

While the clutches illustrated and described are mechanical, it will be understood that electrical or magnetic clutches may be employed, if desired, to achieve the same results.

Where the apparatus is to be used to feed yarn in step with the fluctuating demands of the needles of the knitting machine the actuation of the clutches will correspond to the basic pattern control of the knitting machine.

The invention lends itself readily to a simultaneous compensation for the diminishing diameter of the warp beam 10. For this purpose, a known type of differential mechanism may be employed, as shown at 57. One of the inputs 56 is slowly rotated through reduction gear mechanism which includes gears 58, chain 59, worm wheel 60, and worm 61, by the primary driven shaft 21. The other input 62. is connected by gears 63 to a transmission 64 actuated by the pivoting arm 65. The arm 65 carries the follower roller 66 which bears against the outer periphery of the warp beam, whereby a diminution of the diameter of the warp beam brings about a swinging action of the arm 65, thus imparting a corresponding slow rotation to the input shaft 62. The output shaft 67 of the differential does not rotate at all if the input shafts 56 and 62 continue to rotate at a predetermined ratio. If this ratio changes, however, due to a reduction in the diameter in the warp beam 10, the output shaft 67 rotates, and through appropriate transmission indicated generally by the reference numeral 68, a corresponding rotation is imparted to the worm shaft 63 which, in turn, shifts the nut 70 and thus shifts the transmission belt 22. Thus, during the gradual diminution of diameter of the warp beam 16, the belt 22 is gradually shifted and the rotation of the warp beam shaft 11 is gradually increased in a compensatory manner.

The diameter controlling mechanism just described is superimposed upon the basic action afforded by the constant-speed primary driving shaft 23 and the selective transmissions of this force to the primary driven shaft 21.

In many respects the elements shown in the drawings 5.? are merely illustrative, and therefore it is to be understood that many of the details described and illustrated may be modified by those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A mechanism for rotating a warp beam of a warp knitting machine at controlled varying speeds corresponding, for example, to the varying demands of the needles, comprising:

(a) a primary driving shaft affording a constant-speed driving force,

(b) a primary driven shaft operatively connected to the warp beam,

(c) a releasable clutch between said driving and driven shafts,

(d) at least one set of by-pass driving and driven shafts with a releasable clutch between them,

(e) a transmission between the primary and by-pass driving shafts and another transmission between the by-pass and primary driven shafts, at least one of said transmissions being alterable to permit a selective change in the speed ratio achieved, and

(f) means for operating said clutches in a predetermined timed sequence to direct the driving force through a selected one or another of said clutches.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1, including means responsive to diminution of warp beam diameter and interposed in the connection between the primary driven shaft and the warp beam for imparting additional variations to the warp beam speed to compensate for said diminishing diameter as yarn is withdrawn from the warp beam.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which the primary and by-pass shafts are parallel, and the transmissions between them are replaceable positive-drive elements.

4. A mechanism as defined in claim 1, in which each clutch includes a movable part mounted on a shiftable support, and yieldable means constantly urging said support in one direction; and in which said clutch operating means (f) comprises an actuator arranged to press against said support at predetermined times in a direction opposing the urgence of said yieldable means.

5 A mechanism as defined in claim 4, in which said actuators are mounted on movable elements, there being one such movable element for each clutch, and means for driving said movable elements in unison.

6. A mechanism as defined in claim 5, in which each movable element is a chain trained around a sprocket wheel, said sprocket wheels being mounted on a common drive shaft.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,361,526 10/1944 Bassist 6686 RUSSELL C. MADER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MECHANISM FOR ROTATING A WRAP BEAM OF A WRAP KNITTING MACHINE AT CONTROLLED VARYING SPEEDS CORRESPONDING, FOR EXAMPLE, TO THE VARYING DEMANDS OF THE NEEDLES, COMPRISING: (A) A PRIMARY DRIVING SHAFT AFFORDING A CONSTANT-SPEED DRIVING FORCE, (B) A PRIMARY DRIVEN SHAFT OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO THE WRAP BEAM, (C) A RELEASABLE CLUTCH BETWEEN SAID DRIVING AND DRIVEN SHAFTS, (D) AT LEAST ONE SET OF BY-PASS DRIVING AND DRIVEN SHAFTS WITH A RELESABLE CLUTCH BETWEEN THEM, (E) A TRASMISSION BETWEEN THE PRIMARY AND BY-PASS DRIVING SHAFTS AND ANOTHER TRANSMISSION BETWEEN THE BY-PASS AND PRIMARY DRIVEN SHAFTS, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID TRANSMISSIONS BEING ALTERABLE TO PERMIT A SELECTIVE CHANGE IN THE SPEED RATIO ACHIEVED, AND (F) MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID CLUTCHES IN A PREDETERMINED TIMED SEQUENCE TO DIRECT THE DRIVING FORCE THROUGH A SELECTED ONE OR ANOTHER OF SAID CLUTCHES. 